In recent trucking industry news, American Trucking Associations this week asked all Americans to reflect and appreciate the 3.1 million professional truck drivers that deliver America’s freight safely and securely, every day as part of the 25th annual National Truck Driver Appreciation Week.

“For 52 weeks a year, America’s professional truck drivers make sure that our most essential items – food, fuel, medicine, clothing,” said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves, “and lately they are doing so more safely and efficiently than ever before despite increasingly congested highways and ever more demanding logistics schedules. Their commitment is second-to-none and that’s why we’re asking that Americans take a few minutes to appreciate the effort these professionals put in every day.”

During this 25th anniversary of National Truck Driver Appreciation Week of Sept. 15-21, ATA, its state affiliates and America’s Road Team Captains will mark the celebration by holding events across the nation.

The celebrations this week will be hosted by motor carriers, shippers and other trucking related industries. Ways in which said entities show their appreciation include million-mile and safety awards, cash bonuses or gifts, an extra paid day off, a cup of coffee or windshield cleaning at truck stops, goodie bags with fresh fruit and water, free health checks and numerous celebration meals. Several events will last all week, until every driver cycles through company headquarters. Office personnel at some companies are also encouraged to spend a few days out on the road to see the driver’s side of their business.

There are over 3.1 million professional truck drivers delivering life’s essentials, nationwide. These professional men and women log close to 398 billion miles each year. In 2011, trucking professionals delivered 67 percent of the U.S. freight tonnage, equivalent to 9.2 billion tons of freight. 80 percent of U.S. communities depend solely on the trucking industry for the delivery of goods. Professional truck drivers keep America moving.

ATA began celebrating National Truck Driver Appreciation Week in 1988 in an effort to honor those hard working men and women who deliver life’s essentials, every day.